The baby names below saw sudden changes in usage during the 1990s thanks to the influence of historical events. I’ve written explanatory blog posts about some of them — please click the links to learn more!
To check out history-influenced baby names from other decades, visit the baby name timeline main page.
1999
1999 News: Shykemmia, Millennium, Nerses
1999 Movie characters: Neo, Trinity, Amidala, Anjali, Kiara, Sincere, Sabian
1999 TV characters: Felicity, Ezri, Verania, Preciosa, Tyreke, Piper, Ransel
1999 TV contestant: Itzanami
1999 TV personalities: Emeril, Kaia, Ruthie, Amaya
1999 Actors: Tionne, Litzy
1999 Singers: Tyrese, Rahzel
1999 Rapper: Sole
1999 Musical album: Mohogany
1999 Sports: Cauy, Ukari, Peerless, Cade, Quartey
1999 Brand: Sephora
1999 Celebrity babies: Selah, Ronan
1998
1998 News: Inaara, Tiger, Monica
1998 Movie characters: Mulan, Cinque, Skylar, Danyael, Ronin, Korben
1998 Movie: Amistad
1998 TV characters: Dawson, Pacey, Lyta, Selena, Catera, Rosaisela, Gia, Giamarie, Diavian, Ally, Dharma
1998 TV contestant: Brannon
1998 TV personalities: Tsianina, Iyanla, Kameelah, Timber, Kalle
1998 Video game character: Aeris
1998 Actors: Charlize, Aniston, Calista, Madchen, Naydelin, Ariyon, Adamari, Landry, Stellan, Jensen
1998 African-American magazines: Zyshonne
1998 Song: Adia
1998 Singers: Beyonce, Mya, Envyi, Celine
1998 Rappers: Jadakiss, Mystikal, Camron
1998 Musical group: Phajja
1998 Music festival: Lilith
1998 Sports: Jelani, Zidane, Nomar, Picabo, Bode, McGwire, Dhani, Dameyune, Nazr, Tavian, Jeter, Jaromir
1998 Celebrity babies: Sailor, Seven, Zion
1997
1997 News: Dodi, Jonbenet, Versace, Ennis
1997 Movie characters: Maguire, Cross
1997 TV characters: Yulissa, Sarek, Belanna
1997 TV show: Odyssey
1997 TV personalities: Flora, Syrus
1997 Video game character: Talazia
1997 Actors: Djimon, Vivica, Tahj
1997 Literary character: Sheccid
1997 Song: Vidalia
1997 Singers: Erykah, Fey, Rahsaan, Zakiya, Trace
1997 Producer: Dupri
1997 Musical group: Jamiroquai
1997 Sports: Denilson, Livan, Tanyon, Ripken, Brevin, Tiger, Juwan
1997 Products: Allure, Tresor, Millennia, Naya
1996
1996 Movie characters: Sera, Nomi, Miette
1996 Movies: Jumanji, Diabolique
1996 TV characters: Xena, Sabrina, Moesha, Ohagi, Aeon, Gilda
1996 TV personality: Jacinda, Kiana
1996 Video game characters: Sindel, Stryker
1996 Actors: Quindon, Mykelti, Brosnan, Neve, Zaria
1996 Song: Rebeccalynn
1996 Singers: Monifah, Tamia, Syleena, Json
1996 Musical group: Mazzy
1996 African-American magazines: Savasia
1996 Rapper: Amaru
1996 Sports: Jaycie, Dominique, Keyshawn, Deion, Cal, Kordell, Jagr
1996 Products: Millenia, Catera
1996 Celebrity baby: Ireland
1996 Beauty queen: Banelly
1995
1995 News: Baylee, Selena, Arnelle, Kaelin, Annanicole
1995 Movie characters: Tristan, Raynathan, Anakin, Mufasa, Sarabi, Nala, Lestat, Khaila, Lane, Tuff, Lyric
1995 TV characters: Chandler, Ross, Phoebe, Fox, Chakotay, Kes, Delenn, Corvina, Alondra, Jamilex, Maitland, Morelia, Deianeira, Tia, Tamera, Kennedy
1995 TV personality: Maty
1995 TV talk show guest: Gajuan
1995 Video game character: Jax, Morrigan
1995 Actors: Mekhi, Tramanh, Khalil, Trini, Karina
1995 Songs: Adalida, Alize
1995 Singers: Alanis, Montell, Desree, Iridian, Saadiq, Kci, Monteco, Dangelo, Jailene, Shatasha
1995 Rapper: Notorious
1995 Musical group: Oasis
1995 Sports: Mattingly, Galaxy, Rashaan, Natrone, Kijana, Latrell, Mattheus
1995 Product: Natori
1995 Celebrity baby: Aquinnah
1995 Beauty queens: Aishwarya, Chelsi, Shawntel
1995 Model: Brescia
1994
1994 News: Ylenia, Fergie, Camera, Menachem, Kerrigan, River
1994 Movie characters: Simba, Roemello, Draven, Lelaina, Caine, Jonah, Wyatt, Miklo, Justice
1994 Movie: Seattle
1994 TV characters: Topanga, Danesha, Keanda, Jadzia, Keemo, Synclaire, Regine, Tangie, Marimar, Dalia, Zana, Clarisa, Elide, Brisco, Maris
1994 TV show: Malibu
1994 TV personalities: Idalis, Ricki, Siani
1994 Video game characters: Kitana, Mileena, Kanen, Jagar
1994 Actors: Jurnee, Jocqui, Shemar, Itati, Larenz, Tyrin, Nohely
1994 African-American magazine: Ziyadah
1994 Singers: Aaliyah, Danzig, Rajanee, Braxton
1994 Rappers: Shyheim, Raekwon, Jeru
1994 Sports: Baggio, Kiwane, Voshon, Barkley, Oksana, Troy, Romario, Daulton
1994 Product: Ajee
1994 Beauty queens: Blancaestela, Limairy
1994 Model: Neriah
1993
1993 News: Brandonlee, Thurgood, Yoandra, Asmara, Kynara, Shanythia, Drazen
1993 Politics: Hillary, Chelsea, Karenna
1993 Movie characters: Strange, Fischer, Crysta, Raheem, Quincy, Diquan, Savon, Chance
1993 TV characters: Rosangelica, Kassandra, Yaritza, Khadijah, Mistica, Guadalupe, Jagger, Queen
1993 TV show: Tribeca
1993 TV personalities: Eilish, Kennedy
1993 TV talk show guest: Hydeia
1993 TV commercials: Kebrina, Kalene, Kia
1993 Video game character: Raiden
1993 Actors: Halle, Coraima, Marisa, Faizon, Mayim, Tiffaniamber, Tichina, Solmayra
1993 Singers: Manee, Thalia, Selena
1993 Rappers: Tupac, Shakur, Dre
1993 Musical groups: Zhane, Silk, Cypress
1993 Sports: Tamarick, Riddick
1993 Products: Dijonnaise, Tavist, Kenya
1993 Beauty queens: Jessuly, Dayanara
1993 Models: Vendela, Tylyn, Niki
1992
1992 News: Nayirah, Iniki, Cheltzie, Aissa
1992 Immigration: Ilirida
1992 Politics: Yeltsin, Hillary, Chelsea
1992 Movie characters: Zandalee, Uniqua, Peyton, Sonora, Darian, Vada, Bishop
1992 TV characters: Drucilla, Oneisha, Marielena, Laquita, Eleni, Clarissa, Blade
1992 TV personalities: Montel, Myrka, Branford
1992 Video game character: Cage
1992 Actor: Khalil
1992 Writer: Endesha
1992 Singers: Dajae, Adeva, Devante, Dalvin, Wanya, Shanice, Billyray
1992 Musician: Yanni
1992 Musical groups: Shomari, Tesla
1992 Sports: Agassi, Silken, Anfernee, Qadry, Jalen, Dikembe, Justice
1992 Products: Lahana, Safari, Elantra
1992 Celebrity baby: Scout
1992 Celebrity related: Akeiba
1992 Beauty queens: Leanza, Dusharme
1991
1991 News: Khalea, Wachovia, Stevieray
1991 War: Eritrea, Riyadh, Dhahran
1991 Immigration: Liridon, Liridona
1991 Movie characters: Clarke, Indigo, Furious, Tre
1991 TV characters: Marimar, Novian, Tyriq, Dylan, Mckay, Emilce, Ceara
1991 TV contestant: Symba, Alaetra
1991 TV personality: Keenen
1991 Actors: Ajai, Aeryk, Demi, Bryton, Jaleel
1991 Literary character: Raistlin
1991 Songs: Iesha, Shakiyla, Fancy
1991 Singers: Mariah, Quayshaun, Starleana, Shelby
1991 Musical groups: Jodeci, Jomanda, Quest
1991 Sports: Drexler, Arantxa
1991 Products: Samsara, Diamante, Infiniti
1991 Model: Deprise
1990
1990 News: Mandela, Zenani, Avianca, Tyski, Tantania
1990 War: Saddam
1990 Movie characters: Ariel, Mlynn, Kaneesha, Gage, Storm, Carson
1990 TV characters: Isamar, Donatello, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Decker, Genele, Stryker, Shauni, Rubi
1990 TV personality: Tkeyah
1990 Actors: Keanu, Macaulay, Markie, Shanygne, Glenne, Ravensymone, Amairani, Denzel, Neilpatrick
1990 Literary character: Kitiara
1990 Songs: Angelia, Patience, Shaniqua, Shakiyla
1990 Singers: Alannah, Tevin, Latifah, Sinead, Samuelle, Trinere, Tyka, Devoe, Milira, Matraca, Lakim
1990 Sports: Isiah, Okoye, Raghib, Zina
1990 Products: Eternity, Lexus, Xeryus
1990 Celebrity baby: Langley
1990 Model: Kimora